Martin rules out tax on junk food

The Minister for Health and Children has ruled out the introduction of a tax on junk food, saying "long-term strategies" are …

The Minister for Health and Children has ruled out the introduction of a tax on junk food, saying "long-term strategies" are needed to tackle Ireland's growing rates of obesity. Joe Humphreys reports.

Announcing the creation of a Task Force on Obesity yesterday, Mr Martin said there would be "a lot of complications" with a tax on junk food and "I don't see it as a reality in the short term".

Rather, he said, the focus should be on changing people's attitudes, and promoting healthy behaviour.

"Obesity is caused by lifestyle choices. Habits need to be changed if an obese person is to stand a good chance of losing weight. There are no quick fixes."

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He was speaking at Government Buildings where Mr John Treacy, chief executive of Irish Sports Council and a former Olympian, was announced as chairman of the task force.

The body is to report back to the Minister with policy recommendations before the end of the year.

A major health survey last year found 47 per cent of the population was overweight or obese, and comparative figures show Ireland has the fourth highest prevalence of overweight and obese men in the EU, and the seventh highest prevalence among women.

In addition, obesity accounts for at least 2,500 deaths in Ireland, being directly associated with a number of serious diseases including diabetes, heart disease, several forms of cancer and high blood pressure.

Mr Martin said excessive television viewing was a contributor to obesity in children, and "this may be related to the high levels of food advertising, as well as reduced physical activity levels".

He said the evidence that the heavy marketing of food and beverages from "the top shelf of the food pyramid" causes obesity was not unequivocal. "But it clearly does have an influence and deserves special attention in addressing obesity prevention."

The Minister added he would welcome the "downsizing" of particular food products such as chocolate bars, or high-fat meals.

He was reacting to the news that the McDonald's fast-food chain was revamping its healthier options menu, including revising its sale of "super-size" portions.

Green Party health spokesman, Mr John Gormley, said creating safer roads for children to walk and cycle to school would be a sensible start to tackling the problem of obesity. Instead, however, Mr Martin had chosen to engage in the "delaying tactic" of setting up a task force.

Progressive Democrats TD, Ms Fiona O'Malley, emphasised the need for personal responsibility: "Fat taxes, advertisement bans, getting rid of 'super-size' portions will not make a difference. It is wrong and farcical and dangerous to look for things to blame without blaming ourselves."

The task force comes ahead of the publication today of a Broadcasting Commission of Ireland interim report on the marketing of products to children.

The commission has recommended the creation of a code of practice for children's advertising, advising that sportspeople and other celebrities should not be allowed to advertise junk food.